IRB

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a federally mandated body responsible for
the protection of human subjects involved in research. The IRB reviews, approves,
and monitors research conducted under the auspices of the University of West Georgia
(UWG) by its faculty, students, and staff. The primary function of the IRB is to safeguard
the welfare and rights of human subjects in compliance with the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services. The committee assists investigators in insuring that the
rights and welfare of subjects are adequately protected.

The University of West Georgia operates by DHHS-assigned Federal Wide Assurance (FWA)
number 00005615.

All studies (social science, behavioral, historic, linguistic, and marketing research)
involving human subjects must be reviewed and approved by the IRB prior to involving
subjects in research. If you have questions regarding the IRB or its process, you
may contact any member of the IRB. Additional information regarding the IRB can be
found under "IRB Information" and within the UWG Guidelines for the Review of Research Involving Human Subjects.

Due to data security and ownership concerns, the UWG IRB strongly recommends that
investigators use Qualtrics for all new web-based surveys. Maintaining the security
of research subjects' data is of paramount importance to the UWG IRB. The IRB has
determined that the Qualtrics system meets University Data Security standards. The
use of other web-based survey programs may be approved by the IRB, but only after
additional institutional review has been completed. For questions about what additional
information is required for non-Qualtrics surveys, please email irb@westga.edu.